ES2362333T3 - PADLOCK WITH RETENTION OR NO RETENTION (AND FAST LOCK) KEY FEATURE. - Google Patents

Abstract

A lock assembly (10), which includes: a lock body (12) with a first hitch inlet (14) and a second hitch inlet (16), a cylinder inlet (18) and an inlet (20) transverse that communicates with the first and second hook inlets (14, 16) and the cylinder inlet (18), the cylinder inlet (18) being adapted to accommodate a lock assembly (22) operable by a key; a hitch (26) with a first leg (28) adapted to accommodate the first hitch inlet (14), including the first leg (28) a first locking inlet (30), and a second leg (32) adapted to staying in the second hitch inlet (16), including the second leg (32) a second locking inlet (34), the second leg (32) being separated from the first leg (28); means (38) for retaining the second hitch leg (32) in the second hitch inlet (16) within the lock body (12); a first hitch ball (46) in the transverse recess (20) adapted to partially fit in the first interlock (30); a second hitch ball (48) in the transverse recess adapted to partially fit in the second interlock (34); an actuator (50) located in the transverse recess (20) and having third (52) and fourth (54) locking recesses and cam coupling means (56, 58); and a cam (62) with actuator coupling means (64); characterized in that: the actuator coupling means (64) are asymmetrical and the cam (62) is adapted to be inserted in the lock assembly (10) or in a first position, in which, when the assembly (10) of lock is unlocked by means of the key, the key can be removed from the lock assembly (22), or in a second position in which, when the lock assembly (10) is opened by means of the key, the key cannot be removed from the assembly (10) lock.

Description

Technical field

This invention relates to a lock assembly. More particularly, the invention relates to a lock assembly with dual functionality.

Background of the invention

It is desirable that a lock be convertible between two configurations. In the first configuration, when the lock is unlocked or unlocked, the key can be removed. In the second configuration, the key is retained in the keyhole when the padlock is unlocked or open; The key cannot be removed until the lock is returned to the locked or locked state.

An object of this invention is, in at least one aspect, to provide a lock assembly that is easily convertible from the first configuration to the second configuration and does not require additional components for conversion.

A further object of the present invention, at least in some embodiments, is to provide a lock assembly that allows for simple assembly and disassembly and, therefore, simple removal of the lock hitch from the lock body.

These and other objects will be apparent from the following description of the invention.

Disclosure of the invention

In a first aspect, this invention provides a lock set that includes:

a lock body having a first hitch inlet and a second hitch inlet, a cylinder inlet and a transverse inlet that communicates with the first and second hitch inlets and the cylinder inlet, the cylinder inlet being adapted to housing a lock assembly operable by means of a key;

a hitch that has a first leg adapted to stay in the first hitch inlet, including the first leg a first lock inlet, and a second leg adapted to stay in the second hitch inlet, including the second leg a second lock inlet , the second leg being separated from the first leg;

means for retaining the second hitch leg in the second hitch inlet within the lock body;

a first hitch ball in the transverse inlet adapted to partially fit in the first locking inlet;

a second hitch ball in the transverse inlet adapted to partially fit in the second locking inlet;

an actuator located in the transverse inlet and with third and fourth locking recesses and cam coupling means; Y

a cam with actuator coupling means;

characterized in that:

the actuator coupling means are asymmetric and the cam is adapted to be inserted in the lock assembly or in a first position, in which, when the lock assembly is unlocked by means of the key, the key can be removed from the lock assembly , or a second position in which, when the lock assembly is opened by means of the key, the key cannot be removed from the lock assembly.

The invention also provides the actuator and (separately) the cam defined above.

The lock assembly of the invention can take any conventional exterior shape. The hitch can also take various forms, with the hitch or socket having the first and second legs joined by a bridge in any suitable way. Conventionally, the first and second legs and the bridge are "U" shaped, but the engagement of this invention is not limited to that shape. The second hitch leg is preferably longer than the first leg and the second hitch inlet in the lock body is, therefore, longer than the first hitch inlet.

In a third aspect, this invention provides a hitch for a lock assembly, the assembly including a lock body with a first hitch inlet and a second hitch inlet, including the hitch:

a first leg adapted to stay in the first hitch inlet, and

a second leg adapted to stay in the second hitch inlet;

in which the second leg also includes a notch with a stop at each end, the notch being adapted to accommodate a pin that protrudes from the lock body in the second hitch inlet. Normally, the second hitch leg is longer than the first leg and the second hitch inlet in the lock body is, therefore, longer than the first hitch inlet.

The lock assembly of the invention in both the first and second aspects can take any conventional exterior shape. The hitch can also take various forms, with the hitch or socket having the first and second legs joined by a bridge in any suitable way. Conventionally, the first and second legs and the bridge are "U" shaped, but the engagement of this invention is not limited to that shape.

The lock assembly that can be operated by a key to be inserted in the cylinder inlet can be of any suitable type of lock assembly, which includes a pin tumbler lock assembly and a disk tumbler lock assembly.

In the first aspect of the invention, the means for retaining the second hitch leg in the second hitch recess within the lock body may take any appropriate form. Reference is made, for example, to US Patent 5,714,136 (Thwing), the content of which is imported into this document by reference. The retention means can also take the form of the retention means mentioned in relation to the second aspect of the present invention. In this second aspect, the retention means include a pin that protrudes from the padlock body in the second hitch inlet. There is a notch in the second leg of the hitch, the notch being adapted to accommodate the pin. The notch has a stop at each end to limit the amount of pin travel within the notch, which allows the hitch to partially extend to the unlocked position. Preferably, the pin is removable, being held against a longitudinal face of the lock assembly. If the lock assembly is removed, the pin can be removed, allowing you to easily remove the hitch without the need to disassemble the lock assembly.

The first and second hitch balls in the transverse recess are known in the prior art, see, for example, US Patent 5,174,136. The actuator located in the transverse inlet is adapted to engage the lock assembly as explained in more detail below. When the lock assembly of the invention is locked, the actuator keeps the first and second hitch balls coupled with the first and second hitch locking recesses, which prevents the movement of the hitch. The actuator can be rotated to an unlocked position in which the first and second hitch balls can move to the third and fourth locking reeds respectively so that the first and second hitch balls are no longer housed in the first locking recesses and second to interfere with the movement of the hitch. The hitch may then extend to the extent permitted by the means that retain the second hitch leg in the second hitch inlet, such as the pin and notch arrangement of the second aspect of the present invention.

The actuator in the lock assembly of the invention may be formed by one or more pieces. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the actuator is formed by two pieces, an upper part and a lower part.

In this embodiment, the upper and lower parts are permanently joined during manufacturing. Two-piece actuator manufacturing can reduce costs. Other advantages are mentioned later.

The actuator in the lock assembly of the invention includes cam coupling means. The cam coupling means can have any suitable configuration. Preferably the cam coupling means consist of two asymmetric teeth or projections. A preferred configuration of the actuator teeth is shown in the accompanying drawings discussed below.

The cam of the lock assembly of the invention has actuator coupling means. This can take any suitable configuration but preferably includes two slots and a keyway. A preferred embodiment is illustrated in the drawings, below. The cam actuator coupling means are asymmetrical and are designed to be inserted into the lock assembly in one or two positions. In the first position, when the lock assembly is unlocked by means of the key, the key can be removed from the lock assembly. In the second position, when the lock assembly is opened by means of the key, the key is retained in the lock assembly and cannot be removed until the lock assembly is locked. In the first position in the preferred embodiment, the cam actuator coupling means can be engaged with and rotated the actuator so that the first and second engagement balls can move to the third and fourth locking recesses of the actuator. The return of the cam and lock assembly is not limited to the position where the key can be removed from the lock assembly, even when the hitch is in the unlocked position. In the second position in the preferred embodiment, one of the teeth of the cam coupling means is adapted to be located in the keyway of the cam. When the cam engages the actuator and rotates so that the first and second hitch balls move to the third and fourth locking recesses, the cam keyway prevents the cam and lock assembly from returning to the position in the that the key can be removed. Thus, the key is retained in the lock assembly until the latch is closed and the actuator is rotated to the original position, phase in which the key can be removed. Thus, the key cannot be removed from the lock assembly while the lock is open.

To convert the lock assembly of the invention from the first position, in which the key can be removed, to the second position, in which the key cannot be removed when the lock is open, in the preferred embodiment, the cam is designed to be inserted in the set in one of two orientations. In the second orientation, the cam is inserted into the assembly in a configuration that is rotated 180 ° from the first configuration. Preferably, the cam is screwed to the lock assembly by screws (preferably two). It is easy to remove these screws, rotate the cam 180º, replace it in the cylinder and replace the screws to convert the padlock assembly of the invention from the first position (the key can be removed) to the second position (the key cannot backing out).

It should be noted that, in the first position, to relock the lock assembly, the hitch in the open position can be pressed back to the lock body. This is usually called a "quick close" function.

It is particularly preferred that the lock assembly of the invention in both the first and second aspects includes a key stop plate and a spring, adapted to be secured with the actuator to form a prestressed unit. This facilitates the assembly and disassembly of the padlock. In one embodiment, it is preferred that the key stop plate has two internal tabs designed to enter a joint groove to rest on a radial groove formed in the actuator. In this embodiment, once the spring is tensioned, the key stop plate cannot be disengaged from the actuator. The radial notch is preferably of a suitable length to prevent the actuator from turning excessively when the key and lock assembly is rotated.

In the same embodiment, it is further preferred that the key stop plate include a bent pin designed to engage with a groove in the cam.

In a second embodiment, the key stop plate has an internal flange designed to enter a housing notch in the actuator. In this second embodiment, the bent pin of the first embodiment is replaced by a solid protruding stop.

The key stop plate in both embodiments performs the same function. The purpose of this is to prevent the return of the lock assembly beyond the key removal position in which, in the case of a pin tumbler lock assembly, the lower pins in the lock assembly cylinder are aligned with the holes in the lock assembly cylinder housing, allowing the key to be removed.

It is further preferred that the key stop plate is not designed to rotate with the actuator, being limited by the lock body.

If the actuator is manufactured in two pieces and fastened in a subset with the key stop plate and the spring, this can ensure that the key stop plate and the spring are retained. The subset can represent a single prestressed unit that can be easily mounted on the padlock. This design can be advantageous, because it can prevent the key stop plate and the spring from being pushed away from the actuator and disassembled, as is the case with many prior art locks.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will now be described in relation to certain non-limiting embodiments in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the lock assembly of the invention in the first and second aspects;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the lock assembly of Figure 1, assembled; Figure 3 is a side elevation of the hitch shown in Figures 1 and 2 and represents a preferred embodiment of the

coupling of the third aspect of the invention;

Figure 4 is an end elevation of the hitch of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of an actuator, which is part of the lock assembly of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a perspective view from below of the actuator of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the cam included in the lock assembly of Figure 1;

Figure 8 is a perspective view from below of the cam of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a plan view of a key stop plate, which is part of the lock assembly of Figure 1;

Figure 10 is a side elevation of the key stop plate of Figure 9; Figure 11 shows the actuator of Figures 5 and 6, the key stop plate of Figures 9 and 10 and the spring included in the lock assembly of figure 1, before mounting on a prestressed unit;

Figure 12 shows the components of Figure 11 after assembly;

Figure 13 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of the lock assembly

of the invention in the first aspect, which shows an actuator formed by two pieces;

Figure 14 is a side elevation of the hitch shown in Figure 13;

Figure 15 is an end elevation of the hitch of Figure 14;

Figure 16 shows in plan view from below the upper part of the actuator formed by two parts;

Figure 17 shows in plan view from above the upper actuator part of Figure 16;

Figure 18 is a sectional view of the upper actuator part, taken along the LL-LL line of the

figure 17; Figure 19 is a perspective view of the lower part of the actuator formed by two parts; Figure 20 is a top plan view of the lower actuator part of Figure 19; Figure 21 is a side elevation of the lower actuator part of Figure 20; Figure 22 is an exploded perspective view of a subset of the second embodiment; Figure 23 is a side elevation of the exploded subset of Figure 22; Figure 24 shows the subset in side elevation, mounted; Figure 25 is a top plan view of the subset of Figures 22 to 24; Figure 26 is a plan view from below of the subset; Figure 27 shows in plan view from below the upper part of a different embodiment of the actuator

formed by two pieces; Figure 28 shows in plan view from above the upper actuator part of Figure 27; Figure 29 is a sectional view of the upper actuator part of Figure 27, taken along the line

L-L of Figure 28; Figure 30 is a perspective view of the upper actuator part of Figure 27; Figure 31 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the lower part of the actuator formed by

two pieces of which figure 27 shows the upper part;

Figure 32 is a top plan view of the lower actuator part of Figure 31; Figure 33 is a side elevation of the lower actuator part of Figure 31; Figure 34 is a bottom plan view of the lower actuator part of Figure 31; Figure 35 is a perspective view of the key stop plate that may be part of a subset with the

upper actuator part of figure 27 and the lower actuator part of figure 31; Figure 36 is a top plan view of the key stop plate of Figure 35; Figure 37 is a plan view of a second embodiment of a key stop plate; Figure 38 is a side elevation of the key stop plate of Figure 37; Figure 39 is an inverted plan view of the key stop plate of Figures 37 and 38; Figure 40 is a perspective view of the lower part of a further embodiment of an actuator formed

by two pieces, designed to accommodate the key stop plate of figures 37 to 39; Figure 41 is a top plan view of the lower actuator part of Figure 40; Figure 42 is a side elevation of the lower actuator part of Figures 40 and 41; Figure 43 is an inverted plan view of the lower actuator part of Figures 40 to 42; Figure 44 is an exploded perspective view of a subset similar to that of Figure 22, but which

includes the key stop plate of figures 37 to 39 and the lower actuator part of figures 40 to 43; Figure 45 is a side elevation of the exploded subset of Figure 44; Figure 46 shows the subset in side elevation, mounted; Figure 47 is a top plan view of the subset of Figures 44 to 46; Y Figure 48 is a plan view from below of the subset.

Best methods for carrying out the invention

It should be noted that the views in the various figures are not drawn to the same scale.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2, the lock assembly 10 has a lock body 12 in which there is a first latch inlet 14 and a second latch inlet 16 (see Figure 2). The lock body 12 also includes the cylinder inlet 18 and the transverse inlet 20 that communicates with the first hitch inlet 14, the second hitch inlet 16 and the cylinder inlet 18. The cylinder inlet 18 is shaped to house the lock assembly 22 which, in this embodiment, is a conventional pin tumbler lock assembly, actuated by means of a key (not shown) to be inserted into the keyhole

24.

As can be seen in Figures 1 and 2 and also in Figures 3 and 4, the hitch 26 has a first leg 28 in which the first locking recess 30 is cut and a second leg 32, longer, in which the second locking recess 34 is cut. The first leg 28 and the second leg 32 are joined by the bridge 36 to form a generally U-shaped hitch. The hitch 26 is moved to the open position by the hitch spring 37.

The hitch 26 is retained in the lock body 12 by means of the pin 38 (Figure 2) protruding from the lock body 12 in the second hitch inlet 16. The pin 38 is housed in the notch 40 formed in the second leg 32. The notch 40 has at one end the stop 42 and at the other the stop 44, effectively limiting the travel distance of the second leg 32 within the second incoming 16 hitch. The removal of the lock assembly 22 allows the withdrawal of the pin 38 which, in turn, releases the second hook leg 32 of the second hook inlet 16 (when the lock assembly 10 is in the unlocked position). This allows a simple method of removing the hitch 26 from the lock body 12.

As best illustrated in Figure 22, the first hitch ball 46 is located in the transverse recess 20 and is designed to partially fit the first locking recess 30 in the first hitch leg 28. The second hitch ball 48 is located in the transverse recess 20 and is designed to partially fit in the second locking recess 34 in the second hitch leg 32. The locked configuration is shown in Figure 2.

The lock assembly 22 is fixed to the lock housing 12 by means of the screw 21 and the toothed washer 23. The plugs 25 and 27 of the assembly are housed in the openings in the lock body 12 as shown.

The actuator 50, shown in more detail in Figures 5 and 6, is also located in the transverse recess 20. The actuator 50 includes the third and fourth locking recesses 52 and 54 and the cam coupling means in the form of asymmetric teeth 56 and 58.

The actuator 50 includes the radial notch 60, which is of a suitable length to prevent the actuator 50 from turning excessively when the lock assembly 22 is rotated after insertion of the key (not shown).

The lock assembly 10 includes the cam 62, shown in more detail in Figures 7 and 8. The cam 62 has, on its upper surface, actuator coupling means 64 and, on its lower surface, coupling means of projection-shaped lock 66. The projection 66 is designed to be housed within a complementary recess 68 in the cylinder 70 of the lock assembly 22, the lock assembly 22 including the cylinder housing 72. Cam 60 is fixed to cylinder 70 by cam screws 74 inserted through holes 76.

When the cam 60 is fixed to the cylinder 70 in the first position, the largest tooth 56 in the actuator 55 is located in the groove 78 of the cam 62. When the cylinder 70 is rotated by means of the key (not shown), the cam 62 is coupled with actuator 50 to release the first hitch ball 46 and the second hitch ball 48 to the third locking inlet 52 and the fourth locking inlet 54, respectively. The cam 62 and the cylinder 70 are free to return to the original position in which the key (not shown) can be removed from the cylinder 70 without closing the hitch 26.

If the cam 62 is unscrewed from the cylinder 70 and reattached after turning 180 °, the largest tooth 56 of the actuator 50 will engage in the keyway 80 of the cam 62. When a key is inserted into the keyhole 24 of the cylinder 70 and it is rotated to release the first hitch ball 46 and the second hitch ball 48 to the third locking recess 52 and the fourth locking inlet respectively, the keyway 80 on the cam 62 prevents the return of the cam 62 and the cylinder 70 to the original position where the key (not shown) can be removed. Therefore, the key (not shown) is retained inside the cylinder 70 until the latch 26 is closed.

One skilled in the art will appreciate that the ability to insert the cam 62 into the lock assembly 10 in either of the two positions described by simply removing the cam screws and replacing the cam 62 provides significant advantages to convert the assembly 10 of a padlock of a configuration in which the key can be removed, when the padlock is unlocked, to the configuration in which the key cannot be removed, when the padlock is unlocked. This arrangement has the advantage of minimizing the parts list and providing a robust lock set.

Reference is now made to the key stop plate of Figures 9 and 10. The key stop plate 82 is included in the lock assembly 10 in order to ensure that when a key is inserted into the cylinder 70 and the cylinder 70 is rotated, using the key, to the original, locked position, it is not possible to rotate the cylinder 70 beyond the original position in which the key can be removed. To remove the key, in the case of a pin tumbler assembly, the lower pins in the cylinder 70 must align with the holes 84 in the cylinder housing 72. The key stop plate 82 ensures that the correct alignment occurs. The key stop plate 82 has the pin 86 bent to engage the cam slot 78 or the cam slot 88 (depending on the orientation of the cam 62) for this purpose. The key stop plate 82 includes the tongue 90 which engages with the lock body 12 so that the key stop plate 82 does not rotate with the cam 62 and the actuator 50.

Figures 11 and 12 show the actuator 50, the key stop plate 82 and the actuator spring 92 forming a single prestressed unit to allow simple assembly and disassembly of the padlock. The key stop plate 82 includes the internal flange 94. The flange 94 is designed to engage in the radial notch 60 in the actuator 50. The actuator spring 92 provides the desired tension between the key stop plate 82 and the actuator 50, an end 96 of the spring 92 engaging with the actuator 50 and the other end 98 of the spring 92 is coupled with the slot 100 of the key stop plate 82. Once tensioned with the spring 92, the key stop plate 82 cannot be disengaged from the actuator 50. The radial notch 60 is of a suitable length to ensure that the actuator 50 does not rotate excessively when the cylinder 70 is rotated by the key (not shown).

In relation to the hitch 26, it will be seen from FIGS. 3 and 4 that the second locking recess 34 in the second hitch leg 32 is separated from the hitch retention notch 40. One skilled in the art will appreciate that this allows the hitch 26 to be more resistant than the prior art hooks in which the second locking recess is in communication with a hitch retention inlet.

Referring now to the second embodiment in Figures 13 to 20, the lock assembly 110 functions in almost the same way as the lock assembly 10 in the first embodiment, and similar numbers will be used to indicate similar parts.

Instead of retaining the hitch 26 in the lock body 12 by means of the pin 38, as shown in Figure 2, the hitch 126 is conventionally retained by the hitch ball 48, which has a peripheral recess 102 toward the end of the second leg 32. The second leg 32 includes the channel 104 that provides communication between the second locking recess 34 and the peripheral recess 102 (see Figures 14 and 15).

The actuator 150, instead of being formed in one piece, as in the first embodiment, has the upper actuator part 106 and the lower actuator part 108 (see especially figures 22 and 23). The lower actuator part 108 has an ovoid projection 112 which fits into the complementary cavity 114 in the lower part of the upper actuator part 106. As can be seen from figures 22 to 24, the upper actuator part 106 and the lower actuator part 108 fit together, with a snap fit, with the spring 196 and the key stop plate 82 between them, to form a single prestressed unit. The cam 62 is coupled with the lower actuator part 108 in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

Apart from the differences mentioned above, the second embodiment works in the same manner as the first embodiment with respect to the reversal of cam 62.

Referring now to FIGS. 27 to 30, the upper actuator part 206 is illustrated which, in this case, has the "D" shaped cavity 214 on its lower side, the remaining characteristics being substantially equal to those of the actuator 106 and to which the same reference numbers are given.

The lower actuator part 208 is shown in Figures 31 to 34. It has a "D" shaped boss 212 designed to fit in the cavity 214. Otherwise, the lower actuator part 208 resembles part 108 of lower actuator

The key stop plate 182 shown in Figures 35 and 36 is similar to that of Figure 9, except that it includes the notch 213 for the spring 196. The key stop plate 182 also has two tabs 190 and 191 to limit The rotation of the key.

Referring now to Figures 37 to 39, the key stop plate 282 is similar to that of Figure 9 and that of Figures 35 and 36. Like the key stop plate 182, the stop plate 282 The key includes the notch 213 for the spring 196. However, while the key stop plate 182 had two tabs 190 and 191 to limit the rotation of the key, the key stop plate 282 has a single tab 290. The tab 90 is for coupling with a lock body (not shown), so that the key stop plate 282 does not rotate with the cam and the actuator.

As can be seen in Figures 38 and 39, the key stop plate 282 includes the solid protruding stop 286 which functions in the same manner as the bent pin 86 in relation to the key stop plate 82.

Referring now to Figures 40 to 43, the lower actuator part 308 is illustrated. Like the lower actuator part 208, it has a "D" shaped boss 212 designed to fit into a cavity (not shown) in the upper actuator part. The lower actuator part 308 has a single notch 309 for key stop flange housing.

Referring to Figures 44 to 48, the lower actuator part 208 has the projection 212 which fits into a complementary cavity (not shown) in the lower part of the upper actuator part 106. The upper actuator part 106 and the lower actuator part 208 fit together, with a snap fit, with the spring 196 and the key stop plate 282 between them, to form a single prestressed unit. The cam 62 is coupled with the lower actuator part 208 in the same manner described in relation to the other embodiments.

Apart from the differences mentioned above, this embodiment works in the same manner as the first embodiment with respect to the reversal of cam 62.

Industrial applicability

The invention in its various aspects provides a lock assembly and a hitch, perfectly useful for the locks industry. In particular, the first aspect lock assembly provides an elegant solution for a versatile lock assembly that can be converted from a "quick lock" configuration to a configuration that requires a key to lock it, without the need to include additional components in the Parts List.

Claims (18)

1. A set (10) of padlock, which includes: a lock body (12) with a first hitch inlet (14) and a second hitch inlet (16), a cylinder inlet (18) and a transverse inlet (20) that communicates with the inlets (14, 16 ) of first and second engagement and the cylinder inlet (18), the cylinder inlet (18) being adapted to accommodate a set (22) lock operated by a key; a hitch (26) with a first leg (28) adapted to accommodate the first hitch inlet (14), including the first leg (28) a first locking inlet (30), and a second leg (32) adapted to staying in the second hitch inlet (16), including the second leg (32) a second locking inlet (34), the second leg (32) being separated from the first leg (28); means (38) for retaining the second hitch leg (32) in the second hitch inlet (16) within the lock body (12); a first hitch ball (46) in the transverse recess (20) adapted to partially fit in the first interlock (30); a second hitch ball (48) in the transverse recess adapted to partially fit in the second interlock (34); an actuator (50) located in the transverse recess (20) and having third (52) and fourth (54) locking recesses and cam coupling means (56, 58); Y a cam (62) with actuator coupling means (64); characterized in that: the actuator coupling means (64) are asymmetrical and the cam (62) is adapted to be inserted in the lock assembly (10) or in a first position, in which, when the lock assembly (10) is unlocked by means of the key, the key can be removed from the lock assembly (22), or in a second position in which, when the lock assembly (10) is opened by means of the key, the key cannot be removed from the assembly (10) lock

2.

 The lock assembly (10) according to claim 1, wherein the cam coupling means includes two asymmetric projections (56, 58).

3.

 The lock assembly (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the actuator coupling means (64) includes two slots and a keyway.

Four.

 The lock assembly (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, when the cam (60) is inserted in the first position, the actuator coupling means (64) are adapted to engage with and make rotate the actuator (50) so that the first and second engagement balls (46, 48) can be moved to the third and fourth locking inlets (52, 54) of the actuator (50).

5.

 The lock assembly (10) according to claim 3, wherein, when the cam (62) is inserted in the second position, one of the projections (56, 58) of the cam coupling means is adapted to be placed in the keyway (80).

6.

 The lock assembly (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second position of the cam (62) is rotated 180 ° with respect to the first position.

7.

 The lock assembly (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which includes a key stop plate (82).

8.

 The lock assembly (10) according to claim 7, wherein the key stop plate (82) is combined with a spring (92) and the actuator (50) to form a single prestressed unit.

9.

 The lock assembly (10) according to claim 8, wherein the key stop plate (52) includes two tabs (94) adapted to enter a joint groove to rest on a radial notch (60) formed in the actuator (50).

10.

 The lock assembly (10) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the key stop plate (52) includes a bent pin (86) adapted to engage with a groove (78 or 88) in the cam (62).

eleven.

 The lock assembly according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the lock body (12) limits the rotation of the key stop plate (52) with the actuator (50).

12.

The lock assembly (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the actuator (150) is formed by two pieces (106, 108).

13.

 The lock assembly (10) according to claim 12, wherein the two parts (106, 108) of the actuator are permanently joined during manufacturing.

14.

 The lock assembly (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the retention means include a pin (38) protruding from the lock body (12) in the second hitch inlet (16) and the second leg (32) of the hitch (26) includes a notch (40) adapted to accommodate the pin (32), the notch (40) having a stop (42) at each end to limit the displacement of the pin (32) within the notch

fifteen.

 The lock assembly (10) according to claim 14, wherein the pin (32) can be removed to allow the hitch (26) to be removed.

16.

 The lock assembly (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the lock assembly that can be operated by a key is a pin tumbler lock assembly or a disk tumbler lock assembly.

17.

 An actuator (50) for the lock assembly (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, the actuator (50) being adapted to be located in the transverse recess (20) and having the recesses (52, 54) of third and fourth lock and cam coupling means (56, 58).

18.

 A cam (62) for the lock assembly (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, the cam (62) having the asymmetric actuator coupling means (64), the cam (62) being adapted to be inserted into the lock assembly (10) either in the first position, in which, when the lock assembly (22) is unlocked by means of the key, the key can be removed from the lock assembly (22), or in a second position wherein, when the lock assembly (22) is opened by means of the key, the key cannot be removed from the lock assembly (22).